Turbinaria Peltata - TLC

[karburn]

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m trying to rescue a Turbinaria Peltata that came from someone elseââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s tank. According to the donor, it has never really extended any polyps, and its coat of brown tissue was receding in spots. He was bored with it because it didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t grow. It came from an established reef with good water parameters, and was situated in low to moderate current about 15ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ deep in a 30ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ deep tank with 440W VHO lighting. It now sits in my unofficial quarantine tank, in about 12ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ of water with good current and 330W of balanced VHO. The tissue loss is around the base, and some very small spots around the edge of the cup. The hard skeleton is still about 95% covered with tissue. I want to bring this one back to good health, and Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m wondering if too much light was the problem at the other aquarium. Other than ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“leave it aloneââ"šÂ¬Ã‚, is there anything else that I can do for this one? I your book you mentioned this species surviving under regular fluorescent bulbs, so I picked a semi-shaded corner of the new home. Maybe regular feedings? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Anthony Calfo]

This should be a very easy specimen to save. They are far and away one of the very hardiest corals known. And we know why some folks fare poorly with them: lack of food (they need several times weekly) and lack of strong water flow.

No linear water flow of course... but good/proper random turbulent flow will easily tease those polyps out until they are so dense you cannot see the skeleton underneath!

Lighting is not an issue here. CUp forms are collected deeper, and all Turbinaria can easily overcome light deficiencies with extra feedings (because of their large polyps - easy to feed successfully).

Best regards,

Anthony

 

[karburn]

If I can get the polyps to extend, I'll feed it anything it wants! I attached a photo for reference this time. Thanks for the tip